JP2791471B2 - Micro electro valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a fluid switching microelectrovalve in which the mobile member playing the role of closure member for one or other of the pipes (18,19) is a single membrane (23) with oriented deformation applied by a rocker (24) against one or other of the pipes to be closed, the rocker (24) being moved from one to the other of its two balance positions corresponding to the two closure positions of the membrane by a spool (3) sliding in the valve body (1) under the action of the core of an electromagnet.

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a microelectrovalve applicable to all fluids, and more particularly to a microelectrovalve which can be advantageously applied to erosive or impurity-mediated liquids, More specifically, the present invention relates to a microelectrovalve provided with a rocker and a single membrane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Valves with two or three passages, manual or automatic, are used to close fluid in a pipe or to change the direction of flow from one of two branch pipes to the other. Is known to be. For this reason, the valve body to which these pipes are connected generally comprises a movable assembly that opens or closes the port depending on the position.

In a valve having three flow paths, the movable assembly is configured such that closing one port opens the other port and vice versa. This structure is obtained, for example, by a pivoting plate with a flexible sealing element or a closing flap with two faces moving between two opposite ports. These assemblies are driven by motors or, in the case of electrovalves, by electromagnets.
Care must be taken to ensure that the seal is properly maintained when used repeatedly. For this reason, an auxiliary device having a return spring is often provided, but in this case, the structure becomes complicated and the weight increases. This is not always a major problem in normal use, but in the case of directing the water flow from the main pipe to the branch pipe at normal pressure, for example in certain fields such as in the medical field. This is not the case, and conventional electrovalves could not be used. In such a case, the liquid may leak from the electro-valve, or may be affected or contaminated by some external environment. On the other hand, microelectrovalves are often desired to be small, lightweight, and controllable by low power electromagnets.

To address these problems, it has been proposed to use a closure member fitted with two plastic membranes on each side of the core through a central well formed in the body of the electrovalve. These membranes are flexible, deform in the case, close the port opened in the case, and open the other port based on the operation of the core of the electromagnet. Also, the microelectrovalve described in French patent application No. 8608908 filed by the applicant can withstand considerably high pressures despite its small dimensions and can be applied to any fluid transfer. Can be.

However, this kind of micro electro valve is
Since two membranes are provided for the introduction and discharge of the fluid, it is necessary to provide two compartments for the introduction and discharge of the fluid and a sealed coupling device between the two, The coupling assembly will take the form of forming a single moving assembly driven by the same core. In this mode, a configuration with several small members is required, and the assembly requires precision,
Also, it is difficult to adjust the closure of the valve seat by the membrane to be constant. Furthermore, the dead volume of the fluid present in the accommodation of each membrane is non-negligible, which is disadvantageous for the very low speed transfer of the fluid.

An object of the present invention is to solve these problems of the prior art and to provide a microelectrovalve with a simple structure and more reliable operation.

Means for Solving the Problems The object of the present invention is to control a valve body forming a compartment through which a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe communicate with each other and one or the other of said pipes, and to control by a core of an electromagnet. A movable member having at least two flow paths, wherein the movable member is provided on each of one side and the other side in rocking of a rocker (oscillator). A single membrane deformed along one or the other side of the pipe and applied to close one or the other of the pipes, the rocker comprising:
A spool, which is located on the opposite side of the pipe with respect to the membrane and swings in the valve body with the operation of the electromagnet core, corresponds to two closed positions of the membrane between two balanced positions. Is achieved by a micro-electro-valve characterized by being moved.

The spool may be located in a well passing through the valve body along its longitudinal axis, one end of which may be coplanar with one outlet port of the well (where the outlet port is closed). The spool may be provided with an opening at a central portion extending parallel to the axis and extending through the entire width of the spool.

Preferably, a center portion of the spool is cut out along a plane perpendicular to a plane in which the opening is formed, to form a land in a region between the axis and a generating line of the cylindrical shape of the spool. A notch is provided across the land and at the center of the land.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the membrane is sandwiched between an edge of a cylindrical opening formed on a side surface of the valve body and a flange having a predetermined sectional shape for closing the opening, and the flange has a fluid. There are three pipes through which the supply and discharge of the pipes pass, which pipes open into a small chamber formed between the flange and the membrane.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rocker is a rotating top or spinning top as a whole.
The top surface of the membrane is in contact with the upper surface of the membrane under the action of a spring, and is rotatable on a ball provided on the flange. A rod is provided for engaging the opening.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conical surface of the rocker is provided with a recess at the center for positioning the rocker on the ball, and the rocker is provided with the conical surface. On the opposite side, a crosspiece is provided for engaging the notch of the spool.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The illustrated microelectrovalve includes a plastic valve body (1), and has a substantially box shape as a whole. A cylindrical well (2) is provided penetrating along its longitudinal axis AA ', and a control spool (3) shown in FIG. 2 is disposed therein. This cylindrical spool slides in the valve body, and its end (4) assumes a position flush with the outred port of the well (2). The other end (5) of the spool (3) can be coplanar with the other outlet port of the well (2). The outlet port is closed by a connection piece (6) screwed to the valve body, which serves as a support for an electromagnet coil (not shown). The movable core (7) of the electromagnet extends through the connection piece (6), and the core head at its end serves as an engagement spool (3). The core head is located in a recess (9) provided at the end (5) of the spool (3). Recess (9) of spool (3)
A sleeve (22) for guiding the core (7) is sandwiched between the piece (6) and the valve body (1). A spring (10) is inserted between (11) and the sleeve (22). Cylindrical end (4) sliding in the well (2)
An opening (12) extending parallel to the axis AA 'and extending through the entire width of the central portion is formed in a central portion of the spool located between the cylindrical portion (15) near the shoulder portion (11). ) Is provided. The central part between the two cylindrical ends (4) and (5) is further provided with an opening (12) in the region between the axis AA 'and the cylindrical generatrix. The land (13) is cut out so as to form a plane perpendicular to the land. Two notches (14) are provided across the land at the center of the land (13).

The side of the valve body (1) is further provided with a cylindrical opening, which is closed by a flange (16). A sealing membrane (23) is sandwiched between the flange (16) and the edge of the opening of the valve body (1), and a small volume chamber (17) is formed between the membrane and the flange. ing. Pipes (18) and (19) for supplying or discharging fluid are provided on the flange (16).
And (20) are fitted through. Each of these pipes leads to a chamber (17). Two pipes (1
8) and (19) extend into the chamber (17) so as to slightly protrude from the bottom surface of the flange. Third pipe (20)
Has its open end at the bottom of the flange. As shown in FIG. 1, the flange (16) has a unique shape for receiving a ball (21) in the central conical portion, which ball is located in the center of the membrane (23). I have. Instead of such a configuration, the ball (21) may be molded integrally with the flange (16), as are the pipes (18), (19) and (20).

Due to the arrangement of the balls (21), a small through hole is provided in the center of the membrane (23). Membrane (23) and spool (3) in well (2)
A space is formed between the locker and the land (13), and the space forms a housing for the locker (24). Third
As shown, the rocker (24) is in the form of a spinning top or spinning top, the lower conical surface (25) of which is glued to the membrane (23). As a result, the membrane (23) takes a shape along the surface (25), and undergoes deformation as described below based on the orientation by the surface (25). In the center of the surface (25), a recess is provided for placing a rocker on the ball (21). On the opposite side of the locker (24) from the conical surface (25), there is provided a crosspiece (26) that engages with the notch (14). A rod (27) extends upward from this crosspiece,
The rod engages an opening (12) in the spool, and the end of the rod is provided with a spool (28). Instead of such a configuration, the membrane (23) and the locker (24) can be molded as one piece. As shown in FIG. 1, the spring (29) is supported on the rod (27), extends into the opening (12) of the spool (3) and reaches a position-adjustable stopper (30). The stopper is screwed into a female threaded orifice (31) provided on the side of the valve body (1) opposite to the chamber (17). The crosspiece (26) engaged with a small gap in the notch (14) moves the rocker (24) at a position inclined at a certain angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis AA 'to the position of the spool (3). It is possible to take according to. The rod (2
The spring (29) exerts a pressing force on the end of 7),
The locker (24) is held in that position. Instead of this spring, a spring plate used to perform a similar function can be used.

The illustrated electrovalve operates as follows. First
In the rest state shown in the figure, the electromagnet is not excited, the spool (3) is held on the right side in the figure by the action of the spring (10), and its end (4) is the same as the opening surface of the well (2). The position is on a plane. The rocker (24) tilts to the right, the membrane (23) closes the pipe (19), and the pipe (18) is open. Fluid introduced into the chamber (17) through the pipe (20) flows freely into the pipe (18). The pressing force exerted on the rod (28) by the spring (29) acts on the conical surface (25) of the rocker located on the pipe (19), whereby the membrane (2
3) is pressed to close the end face of the pipe (19),
A good seal is maintained. When the electromagnet is energized, the core (7) exerts a traction force against the end (5) of the spool (3) through the engagement head (8) against the force of the spring (10), in the position shown in FIG. Moving. During this move,
The edge of the notch (14) exerts a force on the edge of the crosspiece (26) to move the crosspiece, and the rocker (2)
4) Rotate. The spool (28) provided at the end of the rod (27) moves leftward in the spring (29). When the rocker (24) exceeds a central position along a plane perpendicular to the axis AA ', the spring (29) contributes to the movement of the rocker in this direction. This movement of the rocker is made possible by the gap between the notch (14) and the crosspiece (26). Therefore, the membrane (2
3) is quickly deformed according to the inclination of the rocker (24) and separates from the end face of the pipe (19) and contacts the end face of the pipe (18). As a result, the flow of the fluid occurs between the pipe (20) and the pipe (19). Membrane (2
3) is deformed by being pressed against the end face of the pipe,
There is no risk of imperfect closure due to impurities. The locker (24) moves from the first balance position shown in FIG.
Moving to the second balance position shown, each of these positions corresponds to two possible positions of the membrane (23), so that the switching of the valves is quick and reliable.

When the excitation of the electromagnet is released, the spring (10)
Push the spool (3) back to the initial position shown. In this way, the switching of the position and the holding thereof are performed automatically.
On the other hand, the user can actuate the spool by himself by exerting a force on the end (4) which is flush with the opening of the well (2) of the valve body. That is, even when the electromagnet cannot be operated, the valve can be manually used.

Since the volume of the chamber (17) between the membrane (23) and the flange (16) is small, the dead volume of the fluid is small and therefore easy to rinse. Furthermore, the membrane (23), while being a single membrane, not only serves to close the valve seat, but also provides a secure seal between the well (2), which swings the spool (3) inside, and the outside world. Also play a role. The seal against the outside world reliably functions not only for a pressurized fluid but also for a high-pressure gas, a low-pressure gas, and a vacuum state. The dimensions of the valve body (1) are reduced without any reduction in the cross-sectional area of the pipes (18), (19) and (20).

Since there is a gap in the area of the notch (14) between the spool (3) and the rocker (24), there is no constraint between the control part of the electromagnet and the closing mechanism of the valve, so that There is no risk that the adjustment will be impossible. Furthermore, the closing pressure of the membrane against one or the other valve seat can be adjusted based on the adjusting stopper (30) independently of the traction force of the electromagnet. The locker (24) holds the ball (2
Since it is driven by the notch of the spool (3) at an upper position far from the pivot point formed by 1), the force to be exerted on the core (7) based on the lever action, and hence the attractive force of the electromagnet, is small. While the membrane (2
The closing pressure according to 3) will be high.

Further, based on the above-described configuration, switching of the valve, that is, switching of the position of the membrane, can be performed from the outside without removing the valve from a device or equipment equipped with the valve.

Based on these advantages, the microvalve of the present invention can be mounted and fixed in a limited space,
Since the pipes are arranged on the same side, their installation is easy. This microvalve can be formed of a material having resistance to abrasion and corrosion, and is particularly suitable for medical analyzers, food processing fields, and the like.

In addition to those described in the above examples, instead of the spool (3), a device using a spring means for causing the locker to perform the same operation as described above can be used as appropriate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a micro electro valve in a rest state, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a control spool, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a locker, FIG. The figure is a longitudinal sectional front view of the micro electro valve in the operating position. (1) Valve body (2) Well (3) Control spool (7) Core (8) Engagement spool (10) Spring (11) Shoulder (13) Land (14) Notch (16) Flange (18), (19), (20) Pipe (21) Ball (22) Sleeve (23) Membrane (24) Locker (25) Conical surface (27) Rod (29) Spring (30) Stopper with adjustable position

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] An at least two valve body having a valve body forming a compartment through which a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe are communicated, and a moving member controlled to be closed by one or other of said pipes and controlled by an electromagnet core. A microelectrovalve having a flow path, wherein the moving member is provided along one side or the other side of the rocker on each of one side and the other side in rocking (rocker) rocking. A single membrane that is deformed and adapted to close one or the other of the pipes, the rocker is located on the opposite side of the membrane from the pipe, The spool is moved between two balance positions of the membrane by a spool that swings in the valve body with the operation of the core. A micro electrovalve characterized by being operated. 2. The spool is disposed in a well extending through the valve body along its longitudinal axis, one end of the spool being flush with an outlet port of the well. A microelectrovalve according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the valve is adapted to take a position. 3. The microelectrode according to claim 1, wherein the other outlet port of the well on the side where the electromagnet core is located is closed by a sleeve, and the sleeve surrounds the connection piece for guiding the core. Electro valve. 4. The micro-electrovalve according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion is provided at an end of the spool on the side where the electromagnet core is located, for receiving an engaging spool of the core. 5. The microelectrovalve according to claim 1, wherein a spring is inserted between a shoulder provided on the spool and the sleeve on a side where the electromagnet core is located. 6. A micro-electrovalve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spool has an opening in its center which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spool and over the entire width of the spool. 7. A central portion of the spool is cut along a plane perpendicular to a plane in which the opening is formed, and a region between a longitudinal axis of the spool and a generating line of the cylindrical shape of the spool. The microelectrovalve according to claim 1, wherein a land is formed on the microelectrode. 8. The micro-electro-valve according to claim 1, wherein two notches are provided at the center of the land so as to cross the land. 9. The micro-electro-valve according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is sandwiched between an edge of a cylindrical opening provided on a side surface of said valve body and a flange having a predetermined sectional shape for closing said opening. 10. The flange supports three pipes for fluid supply and discharge therethrough which open into a small chamber formed between the flange and the membrane. A microelectrovalve according to claim 1. 11. The micro-electro-valve according to claim 1, wherein said flange has a cup-shaped cross section, and a conical recess for receiving a ball is provided at a central portion thereof. 12. The spool has at its center an opening extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spool and over the entire width of the spool, and the membrane has a cylindrical opening formed in a side surface of the valve body. And a flange having a cup-shaped cross-section closing the opening and having a conical concave portion for receiving a ball in a central portion, the rocker having a conical surface at a lower portion and an upper portion having a conical surface. The lower conical surface rotates on the ball under the action of a spring so as to contact the upper surface of the membrane, and the upper shaft engages with the opening of the spool. A microelectrovalve according to claim 1. 13. The microelectrovalve according to claim 1, wherein the conical surface of the rocker is adhered to the upper surface of the membrane. 14. The micro-electrovalve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conical surface of the rocker has a recess in the center so as to position the rocker on the ball. 15. The spool has an opening in the center thereof extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spool and across the entire width of the spool, the opening being drilled in the center of the spool. A notch is provided along a plane perpendicular to the plane of the spool, and a land is formed in a region between a longitudinal axis of the spool and a generating line of the spool in a cylindrical shape. Two notches are provided across the land, and the membrane has an edge of a cylindrical opening provided on a side surface of the valve body, a cup-shaped cross section for closing the opening, and a cone receiving a ball in a central portion. The rocker has a conical surface in the lower part and a shaft protruding in the upper part, the lower conical surface acting as a spring. Swiveling on the ball below to contact the upper surface of the membrane, the upper axle engages the opening of the spool, and the rocker is mounted on the side of the spool opposite the conical surface. The micro-electro-valve according to claim 1, further comprising a crosspiece engaging the notch. 16. The microcontroller according to claim 1, wherein a spring is arranged to extend through the opening of the spool, and the spring is supported by a position-adjustable stopper provided on the other side of the valve body. Electro valve.